Sheathed knife



April 15, 1947. A. SCHUSTER SHEATHE'D KNIFE Filed Sept. 27, 1945 Patented Apr. 15, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SHEATHED KNIFE Anton Schuster, Kirkwood, Mo.

Application September 27, 1945, Serial No. 618,900

2 Claims. (Cl. 30-155) This invention relates to cutlery and has relation more particularly to a sheathed knife including a pivoted blade, and it is an object of the invention to provide a device of this kind wherein effective means is carried exteriorly of the handle for coaction with the blade in a manner to effectively hold the blade either in an extended or sheathed position.

In order that my invention may be better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the sheathed knife constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention with the blade closed; Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through Figure 1 with the blade in elevation;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view partly in section and partly in elevation showing the blade extended;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure l; and

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 55 of Figure 3.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawing, H denotes a handle member of desired configuration and dimensions and which is provided lengthwise thereof with a straight kerf I herein disclosed as disposed radially of the handle H and of a depth to extend to substantially the axial center of the handle H.

One end portion 2 of the handle member H is cylindrical and the kerf l opens out through such portion 2 and the part 3 of the kerf I within the portion 2 is widened to extend entirely across said portion 2. The blade B is of a conventional type and is of a size to be substantially housed within the kerf I when the blade B is swung inwardly of the handle member H.

The blade B includes a relatively short tang 4 which extends within the portion 3 of the kerf I and is pivoted to the cylindrical portion 2 of the handle member H by the pintle 5 herein disclosed s in the form of a rivet. I

The tang 4 is of such dimensions and configuration to allow the ready inward or sheathing movement of the blade B and immediately adjacent to the inner end of the tang 4 and at the back of the blade B is a shoulder 5 which, when the blade is fully extended, contacts with a split collar or sleeve I of metal or other requisite material possessing a certain degree of inherent resiliency.

This split collar or sleeve 6 snugly surrounds the cylindrical portion 2 and is held in place by the pintle 5 hereinbefore referred to. The free ends of the collar or sleeve 6 are spaced apart, with the intervening slot 8 in register with the part 3 of the kerf I and said free end marginal portions of the sleeve or collar 6, when the blade B is fully extended, slightly overlies the part 3 of the kerf I to provide an effective stopping means to hold the blade B against ready folding or sheathing movement.

However, when it is desired to close the blade B, suitable pressure thereon will result in sufficient further separation of the ends of the sleeve or collar 6 to permit the desired inward swinging movement of the blade B into sheathed position. When the blade B is in its closed or sheathed position, the free ends of the collar or. sleeve 6 will tightly bear against the opposite faces of the tang 4 of the blade B and thus effectively hold the blade B against accidental outward swinging movement.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that an article of cutlery constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated.

I claim:

'1. A sheathed knife comprising a handle member provided therealong with a kerf, said kerf opening out through an end of the handle, a resilient split collar surrounding the end portion of the handle through which the kerf opens, a blade having a tang extending within the open end portion of the kerf, a pintle disposed through the handle and the kerf for pivotally connecting the blade to the handle, the free ends of the collar being spaced apart to provide a slot for register with the kerf at the open end portion thereof,

said free end portions of the collar having close contact with the tang when the blade is in sheathed position, said free end portions of the collar artly overlying the adjacent portion of the kerf when the blade is in fully opened position to hold the blade against closing movement.

2. A sheathed knife as set forth in claim 1 wherein the inner portion of the blade is provided with a shoulder for contact with the collar to limit the extent of opening movement of the blade.

ANTON SCHUSTER. 

